Texting driver arrested, bicyclist killed on Highway 30 identified

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Kristopher Lee Woodruff was arrested on August 30 after he fled the scene of where a cyclist was killed when Woodruff became distracted by his cellphone and hit Peter Michael Linden.

RAINIER, Ore. -- A driver arrested after a bicyclist was killed on Highway 30 near milepost 50 west of Rainier has been identified, along with the victim according to Oregon State Police.

On August 30 just before 3 p.m. yesterday a pick up truck hit a cyclist and fled the scene. A few minutes later an Oregon State Police trooper stopped the vehicle and detained the driver near milepost 55 on Highway 30.

The victim has been identified as Peter Michael Linden, 74, from St. Helens. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

34-year-old Kristopher Lee Woodruff, of Vernonia was the driver of the pickup. He has been booked into the Columbia County Jail on charges of First Degree Manslaughter, Felony Hit and Run, and a misdemeanor out of Washington County for Fail to Appear.

Oregon State Police say he was driving westbound and became distracted while looking at a text message on his phone.

Emergency responders who arrived to treat Linden said the impact had killed him after his body was thrown onto the ground near the side of the highway.